Camera Shy (Lessons in Love, #1)(130)

“It’s not what you’re thinking—”

“Ah, ah. Let me finish before you say anything else.”

My heart thumps with nerves as I lean into the phone. Can Finn technically dump me if we aren’t officially together?

“Lennox gave me some advice. She told me to sit down and make a list of all of my deal breakers for a relationship with you. So I tried, and I couldn’t come up with any.”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t endure to be with you. Because”—he clears his throat—“you told me in the champagne room that my lips feel like home.”

I blush a little at my heat-of-the-moment declaration of affection. I meant it, though.

“Well, your heart feels like home to me. What I wanted you to understand is that the reason our sex is so good, Avery, isn’t because of what we’re doing, it’s because of us. And it’s going to change. We won’t always be going at it daily, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to be head over heels crazy about you. Whether you’re in sweatpants or a mermaid costume, you’re still a queen to me. The hot moments are great, but so are the quiet ones. I don’t need dirty talk, threesomes, or any other kink you think you need to fulfill for me. I just want you to be exactly who you are.”

I suck in a breath. “Finn, please don’t make me cry in the middle of a continental breakfast.”

He chuckles. “Sorry I’m saying this over the phone, but you needed to know. If you have to be in L.A. for a while, that’s okay. We’ll make it work.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

How is it possible he’s this amazing?

“But I want to say all of this to your face, so when are you coming back?”

“The Legacy meeting got moved up. I’m going straight to Cancun, then back to Albuquerque, then driving back to Vegas. So, a few days? Actually, can I ask you a huge favor?”

“Let me guess. Feed the fish?”

“You’re the only other person who knows how. The fish guy will be there sometime this week, but can you just make sure—”

“Is the spare key still under that ugly toad statue by the back gate?”

“Yes, sir.”

“All right, baby, I got you. I’ll feed the fish and you go knock your presentation out of the park. You just enjoy your last few days.”

“Enjoy my last few days of what?”

“Being single. Because the minute you get home, I’m making you mine, officially. No more gray area. No more questions about what we’re doing. And definitely no more kissing other people.”

“Good, okay, that sounds—”

The call waiting beeps, so I pull the phone from my ear to check who’s calling. I’m mistaken. It’s just a text message, but the notifications make me catch my breath.

Mason



I’m coming clean to Avery after the Legacy deal is secured.





We’re over, Palmer. For good this time. I want her back.





“Avery?” I hear Finn ask through the phone, but my head goes fuzzy. My heart is tingling with nervous anticipation. The same sick feeling of dread you get at the top of a roller coaster when you know you’re about to take a plunge.

“Finn, that sounds perfect, but I have to go. We’ll talk soon.”

I hang up and open the message thread. Palmer and Mason were friends while we were dating, and Palmer has stepped in as my intermediary through the worst part of our breakup, so I’m not surprised that they text.

What surprises me are all the naked pictures.

All the dirty text messages.

The I love yous and I want yous.

My heart has collapsed, but my investigative brain doesn’t fail me. I know what’s going on, but I want details. I need more facts. This is my best friend and my ex-boyfriend. Of all the people to rebound with. How they hell could they do this to me?

I run across a familiar message and can confirm Mason’s first lie to me. Rumble app, my ass. He must’ve accidentally duplicated the message and sent it to me because he was talking to me and Palmer at the same time. What a snake.

Mason



I want to see you tonight. It’s been over a month. I need that sweet pussy in my mouth again.





Palmer



Come get it. You know where I’m staying.





Mason



It’s either a flight or a twelve-hour drive to Albuquerque.





Palmer



I’ll make it worth your while.





It takes me another minute of scrolling before I realize the damage runs so much deeper.

This was no rebound.

Mason



I’m giving her the ring, tonight.





Palmer



Why are you going to propose if you don’t love her?





Mason



Stop. It’s over. We can’t do this anymore.





Palmer



How can you choose her after years of telling me you love me?